This blog started off by focussing on NZ's smaller 3rd level airlines, past and present. It has evolved to trying to present some record of NZ's domestic airline operations and some of the larger charter operators, interesting NZ international airliner movements and photos I have taken around the country. Comments, corrections or contributions are welcome, Steve - westland831@gmail.com

15 August 2014

Vincent Aviation Flying to Masterton from Mid-November

An air passenger service linking Masterton and Auckland will re-start in mid-November with return flights each weekday. This follows a successful last minute bid by Vincent Aviation which got the nod from Masterton District Council on Wednesday night over rival Air Chathams. The decision was made at a meeting closed to the public and press after a presentation was made to councillors by Vincent Aviation managing director Peter Vincent. Only a week earlier the council had been expected to approve the Air Chathams proposal but voted to delay a decision until Mr Vincent had time to put a case for his airline. The decision means there will be no immediate need for a runway extension at Masterton airport for which $180,000 had been earmarked had Air Chathams won the day. Council chief executive Pim Borren said yesterday the decision was made after "a thorough discussion around the relative merits of the two proposals." "There were two good options on the table and the final decision came down to what was best in the medium to long term. "Council chose to go with Vincent Aviation as they operated a more modern aircraft," he said. Vincent Aviation will use a Saab 340 as opposed to Air Chathams' plan to utilise the older Metroliner, commonly referred to in aviation circles as the " flying pencil." "There was a clear preference for the Saab over the Metroliner. "One elected member summarised his thinking as the Saab being a step forward, rather than a step backward with the alternative aircraft," Mr Borren said. He said councillors had now committed themselves to "working with and supporting Vincent Aviation" to ensure a viable and sustainable service while branding Wairarapa as an accessible part of the country. Mr Borren said although the Saab does not need a runway extension, the council has not discounted the possibility of one as it may be the best decision to future-proof the airport. Although no details on fares have yet come to light councillors did not expect them to differ greatly from those charged by former provider, Eagle Air. Nor has Vincent Aviation revealed a break-even passenger loading to ensure the financial success of the new service. What is known is that the Saab will have a flight attendant on duty and food and drinks will be available. There will also be an on-board toilet. Wednesday's presentation by Peter Vincent was also attended by representatives from both Carterton and South Wairarapa district councils. Had Masterton District Council opted for the Air Chathams' proposal those councils were expected to pledge some money towards an airport extension but it is now believed there will be no need to seek financial help from them. Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson said it was " great" to know regular flights to Auckland would be re-starting.

At the risk of sounding unpopular, i think they have chosen the wrong company. No offense intended to Vincents, i have flown with them on their J32s copious amounts of times, but i think Masterton would have been better off going with Air Chathams. Air NZ did quite alright out of the Wairarapa using the 19 seater Beechcraft 1900D. Say if Vincents use the same fare structure as Eagle/Air NZ Link, do they really fell confident that they can fill a 30+ seater Saab?

Air Chathams are a tried and true operator. They have faced real hardship, and competition over the years, and have grown to be a great little airline. Chathams Pacific was even starting to do alright before the Government decided on other plans. I don't think Air Chathams would have even put in a proposal if they didn't think in the long run Masterton was going to be a profitable operation. I really don't like the Metroliner, and don't like the Jetstream 32, but a Saab?, flying to Masterton? I don't know. Places like Wanganui are still only receiving the Beechs, and they have a population over 40000.

The main problem these smaller operators face i think is that they have no feeder traffic.

I wish Vincents all the best, and i do look forward to flying once again on the ol Saab. I just hope they get the patronage they need.

What most people don't seem to realise is that the Saab 340B has near-identical running costs to a B1900D. Similar fuel burn, cheaper maintenance, and much cheaper leasing/buying a Saab 340 than a Beech.

Yet on top of this a Saab can carry double the payload. If Vincent can maintain the same loads as Air New Zealand did (15-16 passengers), they will be profitable. With the attractions of a flight attendant, toilet, and full food and beverage service, for the same or a lower fare as before, this should be easy.

On the days they can fill it up towards the 34 passenger max, they'll be creaming it. Not to mention the extra freight capacity in the Saab which could be handy for time-sensitive freight.

They may be the same in those statistics, but surely landing charges at AKL will be more for a Saab than a Metro or J32. Then there is the extra wage of the flight attendant to take into account. Also the food and beverage needs to be paid for. If Vincents can do all of this, and still keep prices reasonable, they could have it made :) Will be interesting to see what Vincents do with Saab during the day when it is not operating the MRO service

I've had a couple of people saying the operating costs of the Saab and 1900 are the same... even someone suggesting that Air NZ would have been better to ditch the 1900s instead of the Saabs. AKL-MRO was often full with generally pretty high fares so I think there is potential for Vincent to do okay if the fares are right. There has also been talk of some local subsidy. My question about the service is what will the Saab do all day in Auckland or will it be Auckland based and the crews doing a MRO overnight???

People regularly confuse total operating costs versus operating costs per seat. The Saab will no doubt work out cheaper per seat, I can not imagine a world where the total operating cost of the B model is lower than the 1900.

The total operating cost of the Saab 340B is barely any more than the 1900D. The per seat costs of the Saab are significantly lower. I currently work for an operator using both 1900s and Saab 340s and we are phasing out the Beeches as the Saabs are a total no-brainer from a financial standpoint. The Beeches are much better from a pilots' point of view though!

A lot of the comments have been focussing on the size of the Saab and questioning how they will fill it. Newspaper reports about the Eagle service noted the Beech was often full and this despite quite high fares.

Early on Eagle used to be very innovative in developing new services or expanding frequencies, discounting fares etc. As they lost their independence and everything was determined from Air NZ they lost their edge. Innovation is key in my opinion. If Vincents can work out a formula of a respectable fare that makes it more attractive for Masterton people to fly their own airport rather than driving to Wellington and Palmerston North I think the service could be a winner. Sounds Air is the airline that has shown how this can be done.